Objective:

To quantify the expression of suppressor of cytokine signalling-3-(SOCS-3) gene at the mRNA level in the peripheral blood of patients with NHL and correlate with clinical pathological features and response to treatment.

Methods:

Thirty patients with NHL and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. The SOCS-3 mRNA level in peripheral blood (PB) was detected by semi-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Quantification of cytokines such as interleukin 6 and tumour necrosis factor alpha (IL-6 & TNF-α) were performed using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).

Results:

Increased expression of SOCS-3 mRNA in peripheral blood plus increased serum levels of IL-6 and TNF alpha from NHL cases with no complete remission after therapy. Higher levels of expression of SOCS-3 are associated with advanced disease, bone marrow involvement, extranodal involvement, poor performance status, B cell symptoms (fever, night sweats and weight loss) and high serum lactate dehydrogenase level which are evaluated by international prognostic index (IPI). Complete responses occur in 60% of patients with normal expression of SOCS-3 gene. Increased expression of SOCS-3 is common in diffuse large B cell lymphoma, CLL/small lymphocytic B cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma.

Conclusions:

Over-expression of SOCS-3 mRNA from peripheral blood of NHL patients correlates with advanced disease and poor response to treatment. SOCS-3 mRNA expression in peripheral blood from NHL patients might be used to monitor response during treatment.